To weather or not

[Newportnobby]

I'm no expert but this is my attempt at weathering a renumbered 8f, purchased off the Nporium (thanks, @Newportnobby  ):

Strange - when it left me I'm sure it was in LMS livery

[ntpntpntp]

I guess weathering's not a high priority to me, but I do remember before I took my layout abroad for the first time back in 2003 I selected all the stock that would be going and made sure things like bogies and underframes had a light treatment with dirt and rust powders, roofs had a light dusting etc.  just to unify things a bit with the layout itself.

I'm not a fan of painted weathering, but I do like the powders as they're not 100% permanent yet have stood the test of time.  One day I need to do something with all the rest of the stock..... big task!

[Leon]

Would someone kindly refer me to a source for the powders that have been mentioned by a few people here?  Also, I'd like to purchase a small quantity of acrylic paint for some rails that I've added to my layout. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Leon

[ntpntpntp]

@Leon   The ones I have are Carrs modelling powders.  I bought them way back in the early 00s, a selection of colours for mud, dirt, rust, coal dust, ash etc.

[Newportnobby]

@Leon Here are some paints I've used in my small attempts at weathering stock. I've not used powders as I always believed they required sealing with an overlacquer of some sort.

[ntpntpntp]

I've not used powders as I always believed they required sealing with an overlacquer of some sort.

I've never sealed the powders I used and they've lasted fine for well over 15 years. The pigments stick well enough, though obviously too much handling will take off a little here-and-there.

This is the sort of weathering I go for, just a bit of underframe treatment and maybe a few bodyside crevices and roof dirt.

[njee20]

Would someone kindly refer me to a source for the powders that have been mentioned by a few people here?  Also, I'd like to purchase a small quantity of acrylic paint for some rails that I've added to my layout. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Leon

There are various brands - Noch, MIG, Humbrol, Life Colour, Carrs, Tamiya. Not sure what will be easily available that side of the pond.

[Newportnobby]

I've not used powders as I always believed they required sealing with an overlacquer of some sort.

I've never sealed the powders I used and they've lasted fine for well over 15 years. The pigments stick well enough, though obviously too much handling will take off a little here-and-there.

It's only ignorance has led me down that road. I just had visions of mucky fingers and prints all over the powdered item. I don't know what Farish use but that seems to come off too.

[Jim Easterbrook]

I'm in awe of some of the weathering I've seen since joining the forum. I doubt I could ever do it well enough to satisfy me, so I plan to leave everything in pristine showroom condition. My excuse is that the Rhätische Bahn keeps all their stock very clean, even by Swiss standards. And I can't bear the thought of throwing paint at a brand new, expensive, purchase.

[Stuarted]

There is some absolutely awesome weathering on show on this Forum. My own attempts have been restricted to tentative paint based attempts on Peco and NGS kits I have made myself. It will be a long time before I feel competent enough to tackle anything more expensive. Hats off to everyone who so convincingly weather their stock.

[njee20]

James Makin's workbench thread on RMWeb is truly inspirational. It's all OO gauge, but the techniques obviously transfer. He's brutal in the amount of paint he applies, before wiping most of it off!

[Papyrus]

Up to now, most of the weathering I have done has been with enamel paints and dirty thinners but, having seen some of the fabulous examples on this forum, I would like to try something better. I can't get on with washes - they are too heavy for my liking - so I am thinking of having a go with powders. I've done a bit of research and I was surprised at how many companies make powders - Peco, Humbrol, DCC concepts and Tamiya to name just 4. What I would like to know is - does anybody have any recommendations as to which is best, especially for someone just dipping his toes in it, so to speak? Is there a good starter kit?

Any ideas gratefully received.

Cheers,

Chris

[crewearpley40]

Chris.maybe lifecolors. Something like this https://www.scalemodelscenery.co.uk/lifecolor-rail-weathering-acrylic-paint-set-22ml-x-6-10588-p.asp    Theres a video here
https://youtu.be/RQNZT7l-Sdk     Hope this helps . Chris     . Link again

[thebrighton]

........ I am thinking of having a go with powders. I've done a bit of research and I was surprised at how many companies make powders - Peco, Humbrol, DCC concepts and Tamiya to name just 4. What I would like to know is - does anybody have any recommendations as to which is best, especially for someone just dipping his toes in it, so to speak? Is there a good starter kit?

I've tried weathering powders more than once and just can't get on with them. I've applied them to good effect but then you give the model a dusting of varnish to seal the weathering in and it just disappears into the moisture of the spray. Trouble is if you don't seal it in it comes off on your fingers when you move the model and before you know it a nicely weathered loco has spotless area in the centre of the tanks where you've handled it.
I'm sure others have had more success but I've gone back to washes etc.

[Alcazar]

Would someone kindly refer me to a source for the powders that have been mentioned by a few people here?  Also, I'd like to purchase a small quantity of acrylic paint for some rails that I've added to my layout. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Leon

I just use ordinary artist's chalks, e.g. Winsor & Newton, make a mark where I want the weathering and then spread it around with a fairly stiff brush. Great for rust, rising damp and mucky dust.

Peter